As parents we spend a lot of time doing all we can to keep our kids healthy and safe. Making sure kids eat their fruits and veggies, and get good sources of protein and whole grains in their diet is part of this. Yet, even this healthy food can present risks for serious illness if they are not prepped properly before mealtime. Below are some tips on how to protect your family from foodborne illness.

Keep in mind….

Once bacteria gets inside food, the only way to make it safe for consumption is by cooking it thoroughly. Washing will not make it safe to eat.

The only way to link sickness to food bacteria is by way of a stool sample test.

Children (especially those under four years old), the elderly, and the immune-compromised are most vulnerable to foodborne illness.

Organic labels do NOT guarantee food safety. Always wash all produce before eating.

If foodborne illness is suspected, see a doctor immediately to get tested and treated.

Keep these websites handy to check for food recalls and safety alerts.

Foodsafety.gov
Stopfoodborneillness.org

Kitchen hygiene

Wash hands with soap for 20 seconds before and after food prep and after using the restroom, changing diapers, and handling or feeding pets.

Invest in a refrigerator thermometer; they are more accurate than a dial thermostat.

When cooking meat, use a meat thermometer to ensure food is properly cooked to a safe temperature for consumption. Never use color as your guide. Always wash the probe with hot, soapy water to clean and before

Buying meat from the source is a good way to increase safety. The fewer times the meat has been handled decreases the chance for mishandling. Also, you can see how the animals were raised, which will effect the safety of the meat.